Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Formation & Mid-Week Groups
Spiritual Formation & Mid-Week Groups
Spiritual Formation
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Sundays
Spiritual Formation is a dedicated time to connect with one another, build community, and grow in our faith together. Whether you’re new or returning, we invite you to explore the various offerings designed to support your spiritual journey. Let’s grow together!
Spiritual Formation
Stories and Play
Children from birth through kindergarten are invited to come to the Aqua Room during Spiritual Formation for a joyful time of play, imagination, and stories that nurture peace, love, and kindness. Each week offers little ones a safe and welcoming space to explore through age‑appropriate activities, music, and movement while learning the values that shape our community.
Carefully chosen stories and gentle play help children begin to understand compassion, empathy, and friendship in ways they can see and practice. It’s a wonderful environment for our youngest learners to grow, connect, and feel at home.
Led By: Paige Butzlaff
Location: Aqua Room
Ages: Birth – Kindergarten
Day/Time: Sundays, February 1, 8, 15 | 10:45 a.m.
The Peace Table
Older children are invited to come to the Yellow Room for Bible stories and hands‑on activities inspired by The Peace Table Storybook Bible. Together, we’ll explore stories that highlight Jesus’ teachings on peace, justice, compassion, and community.
Each week, children will engage with thoughtful questions, creative projects, and practices that help them imagine and live out a world shaped by kindness and reconciliation. This is a space for curiosity, conversation, and growth as children learn how the values of The Peace Table can guide their relationships, choices, and everyday lives.
Led By: Beth Snowden-Ifft and Sara Davis
Location: Yellow Room
Ages: 1st- 5th Grade
Day/Time: Sundays, February 1, 8, 15 | 10:45 a.m.
Donuts & Conversations
Middle and High School students are invited to meet in the Rainbow Room for donuts and meaningful discussions about what it means to be a teenager and a follower of Christ in today’s world. Together, we’ll explore the real challenges and joys of growing up, identity, friendships, faith, justice, and the pressures of modern life, through honest conversation and a supportive community.
Each week will include activities such as goal‑setting, vision boards, reflective journaling, and interactive games that help students think about who they are becoming and the values they want to live by. This is a space to ask big questions, build strong relationships, and discover how following Jesus can shape everyday choices, dreams, and purpose. Come ready to talk, laugh, learn, and grow alongside friends who are on the journey with you.
Led By: Jami Guillen
Location: Rainbow Room
Ages: Middle-High School
Day/Time: Sundays, February 1, 8, 15 | 10:45 a.m.
Friendship Class
Friendship Class invites you to learn more about Pontius Pilot during Spiritual Formation on February 1st, the story of James, the brother of Jesus on February 8th, and Stephen, the first Christian martyr on February 15th. Friendship Class is facilitated by Al Clark, but the teaching comes from Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity School.
She was chosen as part of The Great Courses series on video, and her lectures are thoughtful, compelling, and full of detail. Everyone is invited to participate. You may attend one or more of the sessions. Each will be both friendly and fruitful.
Led By: Al Clark
Location: Social Hall
Ages: Adults
Day/Time: Sundays, February 1, 8, 15 | 10:45 a.m.
Shedding New Light
in a New Year: Part 2
An Introduction to Spiral Dynamics, led by Shawn Kirchner
(For better communication, relationships, and peace of mind)
We’re “wired” to grow and change — to widen our perspectives as we gain new experiences throughout life. Why, then, do we seem to “land” at such different “places” than many of our fellow Americans, our neighbors, or even our own family members? Spiral Dynamics is a system that makes sense of what can feel like a disturbing variety of worldviews all around us. As a progressive church in a “plural” community, we can apply awareness of worldview diversity to our interactions and messaging for greater impact, positive connection, and coalition building.
Led by: Shawn Kirchner
Location: Fireside Room
Ages: All & New Attendees Welcome
Day/Time: Sundays, February 1, 2026 | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Service Ministries: Talk-On
Join speakers from today’s worship service in the Library to talk more about the service ministries in the Church of the Brethren. This is a chance to go deeper into the stories, passions, and callings behind the ministries you heard about in worship, exploring how service, peace, and compassion shape our life together.
Come with questions, curiosity, or simply a desire to learn more about how the Church of the Brethren lives out its commitment to following Jesus through hands‑on service. Whether you’re newer to our community or have been part of the church for years, this informal conversation offers a meaningful opportunity to connect, reflect, and discover ways to get involved. All are welcome to join the conversation
Location: Library
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, February 1, 2026 | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Speaking Truth
Join us in the courtyard as we take time to write our elected officials, sharing our concerns, our hopes, and our calls for compassionate, just action. Whether you come with a specific issue on your heart or simply a willingness to reflect and respond, all are welcome. Come lend your voice as we practice faith through active peacemaking.
Location: Courtyard
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, February 8, 2026 | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Hope 4 Home
We are a Matthew 25 Movement congregation, seeking to protect and defend the vulnerable in the name of Jesus. One way we work at this pledge is by providing meals to Hope for Home, a local transitional housing center in Pomona. All ages are invited to participate in meal preparations. For questions, email our kitchen ministries coordinator, Tron Passmore at kitchen@lavernecob.org
Led By: Tron Passmore
Location: Church Kitchen
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m..
Community Connection
Join us in the Fellowship Hall for Giant Jenga, Connect 4, and a beanbag toss will also be available. Come connect with one another and find a slice of joy and love in the midst of life’s uncertainties.
Location: Fellowship Hall
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.